Game of Thrones Emmy Nominations for Controversial, Sexist Episodes

July 16, 2015 4:58 PM EDT

This post contains spoilers for season five of Game of Thrones

The Primetime Emmy Awards announced Thursday that Game of Thrones has earned a whopping 24 nominations, more than any other TV show this year. While that would seem to be a reason for the cast and crew to celebrate, the nods come at a time when the HBO show is under fire from even its most dedicated fans for its treatment of women. The season five finale aired over a month ago, but fans are still bristling from controversial scenes this season like the rape of Sansa, the shaming of Cersei and the death of Shireen.

It’s a backlash that the producers of the show seem to have ignored—or at least decided not to register—considering that they submitted the season’s most controversial episodes for awards. These criticisms don’t necessarily mean the show isn’t worthy of Emmy nominations. The scope and production of the show cannot be matched, and Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey and Diana Rigg have all received deserving nods. But of all the episodes to be nominated for Emmys, the producers of the show chose “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken” for best direction and “Mother’s Mercy” for best writing and best direction—the two episodes this season that had some fans declaring they were done watching the show.

MORE Maisie Williams on How Game of Thrones Treats Women and Female Superheroes

The tension between creators and fans reached a fever pitch at the Game of Thrones panel at San Diego Comic-Con last weekend. Most panelists at Comic-Con expect to geek out with their fans, sharing stories of what it was like to see the Millennium Falcon on the Star Wars set or enthusing over a new Batman v Superman trailer. But this year, fans who slept in line on the streets of San Diego to see their favorite Game of Thrones characters bombarded the actors, producer Carolyn Strauss and director David Nutter with questions about rape on the show.

A male fan asked whether the rape of Sansa made the character less strong, and a female attendee wondered whether the next season will “more overtly address and complicate these criticisms [of misogyny] by showing them as the pitfalls of patriarchy, rape culture, and other forms of oppression.” Again, the people asking these questions sat on concrete for 12 hours and plastic chairs for another 10 to ask these questions. It’s no wonder showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss decided to skip this year’s convention.

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Given that even the show’s most rabid fans are starting to question the writers and directors’ choices, the nomination of two episodes that center on abuse toward women is particularly bold. “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken,” for those who don’t recall, is the episode in which Sansa is raped on her wedding night. That questioner at Comic-Con echoed concerns from critics about why director Jeremy Podeswa decided not to focus on Sansa’s pain during the assault but instead panned to Theon (Alfie Allen). Andy Greenwald at Grantland put it best: “Sansa’s anguished screaming as she was violently assaulted by her new husband was hideous, full stop. But it was almost worse the way Jeremy Podeswa’s camera lingered on Alfie Allen’s tear-filled eyes, as if his violation was somehow equal to Sansa’s; as if this disgusting act was somehow part of Theon’s long and ugly path to redemption, not a brutal and unwarranted violation.”

The season finale, “Mother’s Mercy,” was almost as controversial. As punishment for incest, Cersei is made to walk naked in front of an entire town as a woman chimes a bell chanting “shame, shame, shame” behind her. Flying feces, bloody feet and getting flashed by creepy men were among the many indignities the character (and Lena Headey’s body double) was forced to suffer during that scene. Though many critics said the writers skillfully handled Cersei’s evolution—presumably this humiliation and the death of her daughter will compel Cersei to take Joffrey-level vengeance on her wrongdoers next season—some complained that this was just another on a long list of sexual mistreatments every female character on the show must endure.

Whether the Game of Thrones producers chose only these episodes for submission or the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences chose them, the nominations seem tone deaf considering the fan outrage. But Game of Thrones will continue to draw a massive audience, no matter how many senators boycott the show. And if the Emmys love rewarding the kind of TV that gets people to tune in (if only to be outraged) then the move makes sense. Ultimately, the nominations are further proof that both HBO and the industry at large care little about sexism, even if viewers do. Remember, this is the same institution that literally put Sofia Vergara on a pedestal during a sexist skit at last year’s Emmys. Whether Vergara was in on the joke or not, it remains a symbol of how Hollywood treats its women: sexy objects to catch your attention.

MORE Game of Thrones’ Woman Problem Is About More Than Sexual Assault

Will

Role: Ranger of the Night’s Watch

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 1

Means of execution: Beheaded for desertion by Ned Stark

Likelihood of return: 0%

Jon Arryn

Role: Hand to the King before Ned Stark

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 1

Means of execution: Poisoned by Lysa Arryn and Littlefinger

Likelihood of return: 0%

Jory Cassel

Role: Captain of the guards to House Stark

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 5

Means of execution: Stabbed by Jaime Lannister through the eye

Likelihood of return: 0%

Benjen Stark

Role: First Ranger of the Night’s Watch, Brother of Ned Stark

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 7

Means of execution: Killed by White Walkers

Likelihood of return: 10% (Benjen was attacked by White Walkers and left for dead, but the Children of the Forest prevented him from becoming a wight. He lived on until he saved Jon Snow beyond the Wall, at which point he was attacked by White Walkers again and presumably killed.)

Robert Baratheon

Role: Lord of the Seven Kingdoms

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 7

Means of execution: Mortally wounded by a wild boar after drinking wine given to him by Lancel Lannister at Cersei Lannister’s command

Likelihood of return: 0%

Mordane

Role: Septa at Winterfell and tutor to the Stark girls in King’s Landing

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 8

Means of execution: Executed by the Lannister men following the arrest of Ned Stark for treason

Likelihood of return: 0%

Syrio Forel

Role: Master sword fighter and Arya Stark’s instructor in combat

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 8

Means of execution: Presumably killed by Ser Meryn in a sword fight (he was only armed with a training sword)

Likelihood of return: 30% (We never actually see him die. He was a master swordsman, after all.)

Eddard Stark

Role: Hand of the King and Lord of the North

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 9

Means of execution: Beheaded by Ser Ilyn Payne at the order of Joffrey Baratheon

Likelihood of return: 0%

Viserys Targaryen

Role: Exiled head of House Targaryen and brother to Daenerys Targaryen

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 6

Means of execution: Khal Drogo pours molten gold on his head at Daenerys’ command

Likelihood of return: 0%

Drogo

Jason Momoa and Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones — HBO

Role: Chieftain of the Dothraki people and husband of Daenerys Targaryen

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 10

Means of execution: Smothered by Daenerys Targaryen in a mercy killing after a spell by Mirri Maz Duur leaves him in a catatonic state

Likelihood of return: 0% (Unless it’s in another vision like Daenerys had in season 2)

Rhaego

Role: Son of Khal Drogo and Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 10

Means of execution: Stillborn because of a blood magic ritual performed by Mirri Maz Duur

Likelihood of return: 0%

Mirri Maz Duur

Role: Enslaved godswife

Time of death: Season 1, Episode 10

Means of execution: Burned alive on Drogo’s funeral pyre by Daenerys Targaryen

Likelihood of return: 0%

Rakharo

Role: Dothraki bodyguard to Daenerys Targaryen

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 2

Means of execution: Killed and decapitated by a rival khalasar while scouting the Red Waste

Likelihood of return: 0%

Yoren

Role: Recruiter for the Night’s Watch

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 3

Means of execution: Killed by Ser Amory Lorch, loyal to House Lannister, in a fight

Likelihood of return: 0%

Renly Baratheon

Role: Master of Laws, Claimant to the Iron Throne, brother of Robert and Stannis Baratheon

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 5

Means of execution: Killed by a shadow with Stannis Baratheon’s face that was birthed by Melisandre

Likelihood of return: 0%

Rodrik Cassel

Role: Master-at-Arms at Winterfell, Servant of House Stark

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 6

Means of execution: Decapitated by Theon Greyjoy

Likelihood of return: 0%

Irri

Role: Dothraki handmaiden to Daenerys Targaryen

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 7

Means of execution: Murdered during Xaro Xhoan Daxos’ theft of the dragons at Qarth

Likelihood of return: 0%

Maester Luwin

Role: Maester of Winterfell

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 10

Means of execution: Osha ends his suffering after he is stabbed with a spear by ironborn raider Dagmer

Likelihood of return: 0%

Qhorin

Role: Night’s Watch ranger

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 10

Means of execution: Killed by Jon Snow (at Qhorin’s own behest) in order to trick the Wildlings into thinking Jon has left the Night’s Watch

Likelihood of return: 0%

Pyat Pree

Role: Warlock from Qarth, Member of the Thirteen

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 10

Means of execution: Burned alive by Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons

Likelihood of return: 0%

Doreah

Role: Handmaiden to Daenerys Targaryen

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 10

Means of execution: Locked with Xaro Xhoan Daxos inside a Valyrian stone vault by Jorah Mormont at the order of Daenerys Targaryen

Likelihood of return: 1% (We didn’t actually see her die, but unlikely save a miracle)

Xaro Xhoan Daxos

Role: Merchant in Qarth

Time of death: Season 2, Episode 10

Means of execution: Locked in a Valyrian stone vault by Jorah Mormont on the orders of Daenerys Targaryen

Likelihood of return: 1% (Again, we didn’t actually see him die)

Hoster Tully

Role: Lord of Riverrun, Father of Edmure Tully, Catelyn Stark and Lysa Arryn

Time of death: Season 3, Episode 3

Means of execution: Illness

Likelihood of return: 0%

Jeor Mormont

Role: Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch

Time of death: Season 3, Episode 4

Means of execution: Stabbed to death by Night’s Watchman Rast during a mutiny

Likelihood of return: 0%

Craster

Role: A Wildling who lived with his daughter-wives beyond the Wall

Time of death: Season 3, Episode 4

Means of execution: Killed by Karl Tanner, a Night’s Watchman

Likelihood of return: 0%

Kraznys

Role: Salve-trader in Slaver’s Bay and one of the Good Masters

Time of death: Season 3, Episode 4

Means of execution: Burned alive by Drogon after he tries to trade the Unsullied for the dragon and insults Daenerys

Likelihood of return: 0%

Beric Dondarrion

Role: Leader of Brotherhood Without Banners

Time of death: Season 3, Episode 5

Means of execution: Killed by the Hound in trial by combat

Likelihood of return: 100% (He’s already back! Thoros of Myr has resuscitated Dondarrion six times via prayers to the Lord of Light)

Ros

Role: Prostitute in Littlefinger’s brothel and spy for Varys

Time of death: Season 3, Episode 6

Means of execution: Shot by Joffrey Baratheon with a crossbow

Likelihood of return: 0%

Talisa Stark

Role: Wife of Robb Stark

Time of death: Season 3, Episode 9

Means of execution: Stabbed in the stomach while pregnant by Lothar Frey at the Red Wedding

Likelihood of return: 0%

Robb Stark

Role: King of the North, son of Lord Eddard Stark and Lady Catelyn of Winterfell

Time of death: Season 3, Episode 9

Means of execution: Shot by a Frey crossbowman and then stabbed through the heart by Roose Bolton at the Red Wedding

Likelihood to return: 0%

Catelyn Stark

Role: Wife of Eddard Stark, Mother of Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon

Time of death: Season 3, Episode 9

Means of execution: Throat slit by Black Walder Rivers at the Red Wedding

Likelihood of return: 0%

Polliver

Role: Man-at-arms for House Lannister

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 1

Means of execution: Stabbed in the throat by Arya Stark

Likelihood of return: 0%

Tansy

Role: Servant of House Bolton

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 2

Means of execution: Hunted down by Ramsay Snow and eaten by his dogs

Likelihood of return: 0%

Joffrey Baratheon

Role: Lord of the Seven Kingdoms

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 2

Means of execution: Poisoned at the Purple Wedding by Olenna Tyrell and Littlefinger

Likelihood of return: 0%

Karl Tanner

Role: Brother of the Night’s Watch, leader of the mutiny at Craster’s Keep

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 5

Means of execution: Impaled by Jon Snow during the raid on Craster’s Keep

Likelihood of return: 0%

Locke

Role: Man-at-arms for House Bolton

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 5

Means of execution: Neck snapped by Bran Stark while Bran is warging into Hodor

Likelihood of return: 0%

Rast

Role: Ranger in the Night’s Watch

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 5

Means of execution: Ripped apart by Jon’s direwolf, Ghost, during the raid on Craster’s Keep

Likelihood to return: 0%

Lysa Arryn

Role: Lady Regent of the Vale, sister to Catelyn Stark, briefly the wife of Littlefinger

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 7

Means of execution: Pushed out of the Moon Door by Littlefinger

Likelihood of return: 0%

Oberyn Martell

Role: Prince of the House Martell

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 8

Means of execution: Skull crushed by the Mountain in a trial by combat

Likelihood of return: 0%

The Mountain

Role: Knight and Head of House Clegane, loyal to House Lannister

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 8

Means of execution: Poisoned by the spear of Oberyn Martell in a trial by combat

Likelihood of return: 100% (Reanimated by Qyburn)

Grenn

Role: Ranger in the Night’s Watch

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 9

Means of execution: Killed fighting the giant Mag the Mighty in the Battle of Castle Black

Likelihood of return: 0%

Mag the Mighty

Role: Giant fighting in Mance Rayder’s army

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 9

Means of execution: Killed by Grenn and five other members of the Night’s Watch in the Battle of Castle Black

Likelihood of return: 0%

Pyp

Role: Brother of the Night’s Watch

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 9

Means of execution: Shot through the neck with an arrow by Ygritte during the Battle of Castle Black

Likelihood of return: 0%

Styr

Role: Thenn fighting in Mance Rayder’s army

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 9

Means of execution: Bludgeoned in the head with a hammer by Jon Snow during the Battle of Castle Black

Likelihood of return: 0%

Ygritte

Role: Soldier in Mance Rayder’s army and Jon Snow’s lover

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 9

Means of execution: Shot with an arrow by Olly in the Battle of Castle Black

Likelihood of return: 0%

Jojen Reed

Role: Warg, brother of Meera Reed, traveling companion of Bran Stark

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 10

Means of execution: Mercy killed by Meera after being stabbed multiple times by a wight; burned by a fireball thrown by “the Children”

Likelihood of return: 30% (Could Jojen have warged into someone or something before he died?)

Shae

Role: Prostitute and girlfriend of Tyrion Lannister

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 10

Means of execution: Strangled to death by Tyrion Lannister

Likelihood of return: 0%

Tywin Lannister

Role: Head of House Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, father of Cersei, Jaime and Tyrion Lannister

Time of death: Season 4, Episode 10

Means of execution: Shot on the toilet by Tyrion with a crossbow

Likelihood of return: 0%

Mance Rayder

Role: Leader of the Free Folk

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 1

Means of execution: Shot with a mercy arrow by Jon Snow before he’s burned alive

Likelihood of return: 0%

Janos Slynt

Role: Former commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing, exiled to Night’s Watch by Tyrion Lannister

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 3

Means of execution: Beheaded for insubordination by Jon Snow

Likelihood of return: 0%

Barristan Selmy

Role: Former member of the Kingsguard, advisor of Daenerys Targaryen

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 4

Means of execution: Killed fighting the Sons of the Harpy in Meereen

Likelihood of return: 0%

Maester Aemon

Role: Maester at Castle Black

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 7

Means of execution: Dies of old age

Likelihood of return: 0%

Karsi

Role: Chieftainess of the Ice-river clans

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 8

Means of execution: Mauled to death by Wights

Likelihood of return: 100% (We see her become a wight)

Shireen Baratheon

Role: Daughter of Stannis and Selyse Baratheon

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 9

Means of execution: Burned alive as a sacrifice to the Lord of Light by Melisandre at the order of Stannis Baratheon

Likelihood of return: 0%

Hizdahr zo Loraq

Role: Scion of the House Loraq, former slave trader, husband of Daenerys Targaryen

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 9

Means of execution: Stabbed to death by the Sons of the Harpy

Likelihood of return: 0%

Selyse Baratheon

Role: Wife of Stannis Baratheon

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 10

Means of execution: Hangs herself following the death of her daughter

Likelihood of return: 0%

Stannis Baratheon

Role: Lord of Dragonstone, brother of Robert and Renly Baratheon, claimant to the Iron Throne

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 10

Means of execution: Executed by Brienne of Tarth

Likelihood of return: 50% (We don’t actually see Brienne kill Stannis)

Myranda

Role: Servant of House Bolton and Ramsay Snow’s lover

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 10

Means of execution: Pushed off a ledge by Theon Grejoy

Likelihood of return: 0%

Meryn Trant

Role: Knight in the Kingsguard

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 10

Means of execution: Blinded and stabbed before having his throat slit by Arya Stark

Likelihood of return: 0%

Myrcella Baratheon

Role: Daughter of Cersei Lannister and Jaime Lannister, sister to King Tommen Baratheon

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 10

Means of execution: Poisoned with a kiss by Ellaria Sand with the help of the Sand Snakes

Likelihood of return: 0%

Jon Snow

Role: Commander of the Night’s Watch, bastard son of Eddard Stark (or maybe not)

Time of death: Season 5, Episode 10

Means of execution: Stabbed by Night’s Watch mutineers, including Alliser Thorne and Olly

Likelihood of return: 100% (Resurrected by Melisandre)

Areo Hotah

Role: Captain of the Guard for the Martells

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 1

Means of execution: Stabbed in the back by Tyene, one of the Sand Snakes

Likelihood of return: 0%

Doran Martell

Role: Prince of Dorne

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 1

Means of execution: Stabbed in the chest by Ellaria Sand

Likelihood of return: 0%

Trystane Martell

Role: Prince of Dorne, betrothed to Myrcella

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 1

Means of execution: Impaled through the back of the head by Obara, one of the Sand Snakes

Likelihood of return: 0%

The Flasher

Role: Man who flashes Cersei Lannister during her walk of atonement

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 2

Means of execution: Head smashed against a wall by Gregor Clegane, a.k.a The Mountain

Likelihood of return: 0%

Roose Bolton

Role: Lord of the Dreadfort, Warden of the North

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 2

Means of execution: Stabbed in the chest by his own son, Ramsay Bolton

Likelihood of return: 0%

Walda Bolton

Role: Wife to Roose Bolton, granddaughter of Walder Frey

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 2

Means of execution: Mauled to death by Ramsay Bolton’s dogs

Likelihood of return: 0%

Unnamed Bolton Child

Role: Child of Roose and Walda Bolton

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 2

Means of execution: Mauled to death by Ramsay Bolton’s dogs

Likelihood of return: 0%

Balon Greyjoy

Role: Lord of the Iron Islands

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 2

Means of execution: Thrown from a bridge by his brother, Euron Greyjoy

Likelihood of return: 0%

Alliser Thorne

Owen Teale in season 6, episode 2 of Game of Thrones. — Owen Teale in season 6, episode 2 of *Game of Thrones*.Helen Sloan—HBO

Role: Acting Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 3

Means of execution: Hanged for treason by Jon Snow

Likelihood of return: 0%

Olly

Role: Steward of the Night’s Watch

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 3

Means of execution: Hanged for treason by Jon Snow

Likelihood of return: 0%

Ser Arthur Dayne

Role: Member of the Kingsguard of King Aerys II Targaryen

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 3 in a flashback

Means of execution: Stabbed in the back by Howland Reed and partially decapitated by Ned Stark

Likelihood of return: 0%

Osha

Role: Wildling loyal to Rickon Stark

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 4

Means of execution: Stabbed in the neck by Ramsay Bolton

Likelihood of return: 0%

Khal Moro

Joe Naufahu and Emilia Clarke in season 6, episode 1 in Game of Thrones. — Joe Naufahu and Emilia Clarke in season 6, episode 1 in *Game of Thrones*.Macall B. Polay—HBO

Role: Khal who presides over khalar vezhven

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 4

Means of execution: Burned alive along with the other khals by Daenerys Targaryen

Likelihood of return: 0%

Three-Eyed Raven

Role: Sorcerer and Bran’s mentor

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 5

Means of execution: Killed by the Night King

Likelihood of return: 25% (Yes, his body is gone, but with time travel in play Bran could be seeing him again)

Leaf

Role: Child of the Forest

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 5

Means of execution: Committed suicide with explosive device when attacked by Wights to save Bran

Likelihood of return: 0%

Hodor

Role: Servant to the House Stark

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 5

Means of execution: Torn apart by Wights

Likelihood of return: 0%

Aerys II Targaryen, “The Mad King”

David Rintoul as the Mad KingHelen Sloan—HBO

Role: Lord of the Seven Kingdoms

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 6 in a flashback

Means of execution: Stabbed in the back by Jaime Lannister

Likelihood of return: 0%

Brother Ray

Role: Faith of the Seven Septon

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 7

Means of execution: Hanged by rogue members of the Brotherhood Without Banners

Likelihood of return: 0%

Lem

Role: Member of Brotherhood Without Banners

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 8

Means of execution: Hanged by the Hound

Likelihood of return: 0%

Brynden Tully (The Blackfish)

Role: Lord of Riverrun

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 8

Means of execution: Killed defending Riverrun

Likelihood of return: 50% (We don’t actually see the Blackfish killed)

Lady Crane

Role: Actress in Braavos

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 8

Means of execution: Throat slit by the Waif

Likelihood of return: 0%

The Waif

Role: Acolyte of the Faceless Men

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 8

Means of Execution: Killed by Arya Stark

Likelihood of return: 0%

Razdal mo Eraz

Role: Wise Master

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 9

Means of execution: Throat cut by Grey Worm

Likelihood of return: 0%

Belicho Paenymion

Role: Volantis Nobleman

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 9

Means of execution: Throat cut by Grey Worm

Likelihood of return: 0%

Rickon Stark

Role: Lord of House Stark

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 9

Means of execution: Shot with an arrow in the back by Ramsay Bolton

Likelihood of return: 0%

Jon Umber

Role: Lord of House Umber

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 9

Means of execution: Throat torn out and head stabbed by Tormund

Likelihood of return: 0%

Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun

Kit Harington, Ian Whyte, Kristofer Hivju in *Game of Thrones*HBO

Role: Giant in Wildling army

Time of death: Season 6, Episode 9

Means of execution: Shot through the eye by Ramsay Bolton

Likelihood of return: 50% (Bran has a vision of a giant that looks like Wun-Wun as a wight)

Ramsay Bolton

Role: Warden of the North

Time of Death: Season 6, Episode 9

Means of execution: Eaten alive by his hounds on the order of Sansa Stark

Likelihood of return: 0%